Back in the Water

Songster is back in the water and we are loving it.  After an intense European summer BLIB tour visiting 11 countries over 8 weeks we spent a week on Songster at the Boat Club, leisurely getting her ready for launching.  We went into Athens to pick up our new mizzen sail, we stocked up on provisions and did a few minor maintenance jobs.  Then we happily waited out a couple of days of meltemi while enjoying the ambiance of Chalkoutsi, a lovely town with a wonderful sense of community and great tavernas - so good to get back to Greek food.

 

Greek salad, ouzo and grilled sardines - bliss

Sunset at the Boat Club, Chalkoutsi

Bob during a walk along the waterfront near the Boat Club

Finally the day to put Songster in the water came  We said our goodbyes to Petros and Sia at the Boat Club and headed across the Evia Channel to the quiet bay of Βoufalo.  It was great to once again swim off the boat and snorkel amongst the fish.

Getting ready for the launch

Sia, a great gardener and host, potting up a frangipani which she called plumari

Bye, Bye Boat Club

Βoufalo (Μπούφαλο)

 

The next day we went around the corner to Panagia with a lunch stop and swim in the pretty bay halfway.  When we were here at Panagia in June we just could not get the anchor to set and had to anchor across the bay.  This time the anchor set first go and we settled in for an Ouzo mezze onshore while watching the Greek holiday makers have fun on the beach.

Our lunch and swim spot

Panagia (Παναγια)

 

The next day we had a fantastic sail down the channel to Porto Rafti.  We had stopped here in June but it was raining and we never got off the boat.  The Athens airport is just a few kilometres away and we were hoping this would be a good place to pick up our friends who will be joining us in a couple of weeks.  We stayed a few days at Porto Rafti reconnoitering the public transport system and shops and tavernas for future reference.  While we were in the bay Mother Nature put on a fantastic show of beautiful moon rises.

Octopi hanging out to dry

 

Spectacular show by Mother Nature

 

It is good to be back sailing.